I'm a firm believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", and from what I see here, our existing software is doing the job well. I can't really see any advantage to upgrading, with the attendant chance of data loss, unless it actually fixes known problems.

Metal_pig2001 wrote:Hi LtBaddother times I have seen system changes like that, historic material gets lost and I wouldn't want to see that occur.RegardsRalph

I understand the sentiment, however any competent tech would have the database backed up. It's just a suggestion in the suggestion forum, I'd be surprised if it actually happened. Anyone still running Windows 98 SE?

I reluctantly participated in the upgrade of the IPR forum (yeah, Industrial Projects Report, the "hotsheet".)I wound up presiding over it's funeral.

Yes, it still exists, but it's a mere shadow of it's former self. That was once a vibrant active forum. Now it's a dead-end road where a handful of people stop and turn around.

If it ain't broke....

Steve S

Hey SteveI don't know any of the details about IPR or what happened. This is the suggestions forum so I made a suggestion. Having made the suggestion I'd would have been surprised it would ever happen.

I do belong to other forums, (not related to welding) that have upgraded successfully, I'm not dissatisfied with WTT forums and will continue to participate, I look forward to reading this forum everyday, and hope I can be a part in a positive way, still at some point, we will need to move forward. Just my opinion.

In todays (21 century) society, technology is moving forward at a quickening pace, as welders/fabricators we have to keep up if we are to be successful in our careers. More then ever if we can't navigate a computers file structure, use email and social media some may miss opportunities. I recently became employed with a worldwide company that uses email to inform their employees and to train us in company policy. I like technology and enjoy using it, some push back and refuse to learn, we are living in a time of transition but the employees of the future cannot afford to live in the past.

I look forward to any comments on this topic and hope we can all learn something.

Last edited by LtBadd on Fri Jan 15, 2016 6:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

Hi Richardworking with IT environments is my daily work. I was not suggesting the loss of material due to carelessness but more the failure to transfer the content due to differing back-end structures. I have seen this loss occur in my own workplace due to political/time/cost priorities taking precedence.Do you have any suggestions on other example "forums" that you like how they operate?RegardsRalph

Metal_pig2001 wrote:Hi Richardworking with IT environments is my daily work. I was not suggesting the loss of material due to carelessness but more the failure to transfer the content due to differing back-end structures. I have seen this loss occur in my own workplace due to political/time/cost priorities taking precedence.Do you have any suggestions on other example "forums" that you like how they operate?RegardsRalph

Sorry, I don't have specific suggestions for software to use, but I would like to comment that allot of forums that I see that don't update regularly in small increments all of the sudden do a massive change and that is when I see people get mad and move away.

I moderate over at Team Chevelle and they switched software just this week. And it is a major update. I am not fluent in programming so I really don't know any of the specifics. I do know that one of the major reasons for the upgrade was to have a format that was much more comparable with handheld devices and be easier to use for a larger group of people. It wasn't stated, but I believe that the new software is easier for the company to format ads as well.

So my only suggestion is that if you upgrade the software, as much as possible, keep the format and feel of the site similar to the current. I think the big shock is what scares people away.